Constitution Rules

1.     The combination of clubs shall be called “The Bebington & District Bowling League”.

2.     THE OBJECTS OF THE LEAGUE are: -
a)    To further the interest of bowling generally.
b)    To promote League Competitions among clubs in Bebington and surrounding districts.
c)    To obtain uniformity in the game as defined by the laws of the Wirral & District C.G.B.A. under   whose rules all competitions shall be played.
d)    To promote individual bowling events.

3.    APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
a)    Application for membership shall be in writing to the League Secretary. Such applications shall give the name of the club, names of its
       officers and the situation of the green and shall be accompanied by a deposit of £5.00 to be returned if not elected. If elected the said sum to be
       deducted from the first Annual Subscription.
b)   Any new Club applying to join must make their green available on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings. 
c)   All applications for membership from new clubs and additional teams of clubs already in membership must be in the hands of the Secretary
       not later than the Annual General Meeting of each year.
d)  The League shall be open to all bona fide Bowling Clubs directly affiliated to the Wirral & District Crown Green Bowling Association.
e)   All players shall be registered with the Wirral & District Crown Green Bowling Association.

4.    MEMBERSHIP
a)    Membership shall be decided at the AGM in each year.
b)    Clubs intending to resign Membership must notify the Secretary not later than January 21st. Failure to do so will result in the club being liable
        for membership fees in respect of the following season.

5.      SUBSCRIPTIONS
a)     The annual subscription shall be £75.00 for each team entered (plus £10.00 for any number of additional cup entries).
b)     Each Club shall pay the League Secretary an amount of £20.00 on account of subscriptions, registrations and handbooks. This sum to be
         forwarded with player registrations on or before 1st March. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a fine of £5.00 with an additional £1.00 per
         week thereafter.
c)     By 30th September each year clubs will receive from the Treasurer a statement of accounts showing items, which are outstanding to the League.
         Such accounts must be settled by 15th October and any club not making such a settlement will be fined the sum of £5.00 with an additional £1.00
         per week thereafter. This rule will be strictly enforced. Any financial costs incurred by clubs after the annual accounts have been posted will be
         notified to clubs for settlement when payment ‘on account’ is made (see rule 5b).
d)     Should any Club or individual not meet their financial obligations and satisfactory proof be given that outstanding fees have not been paid, the
         League will suspend or cancel membership until such fees have been cleared. This matter will also be reported to the Wirral Crown Green Bowling
         Association.

6.     MANAGEMENT OF THE LEAGUE
a)    The League shall be governed by a Contest Committee, which shall meet as business demands, consisting of the President, Vice-Presidents,
        Chairman, Vice-Chairman, League Secretary, Treasurer and five Committee members appointed at the Annual General Meeting. The Contest
        Committee shall have the power to deal with all matters of government according to the rules of the League.
b)    The Contest Committee shall elect from its members such sub-committees as is deemed necessary, whose duties shall be defined by the
        Committee.

7.     MEETINGS
a)     Clubs shall receive seven days notice of all Annual or General Meetings.
b)     The Annual General Meeting shall be held each year after the close of the season’s business on a date to be selected by the Contest Committee.
        The meeting shall be held for the purpose of receiving General and Financial reports, election of Officers and any proposed changes to the rules.
c)     Each club shall be entitled to be represented by two of its members, each with voting powers and if only one representative is present he shall have
         two votes. In the event of the elected representative being unable to attend, a deputy must be present. Any club failing to be represented at any
         meeting shall be fined £5.00.
d)    The Secretary shall keep a record of all business transacted at General and Committee Meetings.
e)    Any club may send a requisition in writing to the Secretary to call a Special General Meeting. Such a requisition shall state the nature of the business
        to be considered and this shall be placed before the Contest Committee, who if they deem it to be of sufficient importance, shall instruct the
        Secretary to call a Special General Meeting of Clubs. The notice shall state the nature of the business and no other matters shall be transacted at the
        meeting.
f)      No alteration or addition to the Constitution and Rules of the League shall be made except at the Annual General Meeting, notice of which must be
         given to the Secretary in accordance with Standing Order 5 or at a Special General Meeting.

8.     FINANCES
The funds of the League shall be lodged in a local bank in the name of the League, and all cheques issued in the name of the League shall bear the signature of two of the Officers of the League.

9.     GENERAL
The code of rules laid down by the League shall be binding on all constituent clubs.

10.   CODE OF CONDUCT
The Bebington & District Bowling League will not tolerate bad conduct of any team, individual or associated individuals. Any matters reported to the League will be dealt with severely. If found guilty appropriate disciplinary action will be taken as decided by the Contest Committee and the matter will be reported to the Wirral & District CGBA.

STANDING ORDERS

1. TIME AND PLACE

General Meetings shall be held at such times and dates as directed by the rules.

2. CHAIR

The Chairman shall take the Chair at all meetings except General Meetings when the President shall preside and formally open the meeting. In the absence of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman or other competent officer, the meeting shall elect a Chairman.

3. AGENDA

An agenda of the business of the meeting shall be prepared by the Secretary. This agenda will be adhered to until completion, unless a proposition to suspend Standing Orders is made and carried.

4. ORDER OF AGENDA

The agenda shall for all meetings provide for (1) Minutes. (2) Matters arising from same. (3) Correspondence. (4) Financial Statement etc.

5. NOTICE OF MOTION

Notices in Motion, in writing, by Clubs for consideration at the Annual General Meeting must be received by not later than September 30th. These will be circulated to all Clubs, amendments to the suggested alterations will be accepted until October 31st.

6. TIME LIMIT

Each speaker shall rise to address the Chair and be limited to speaking to 5 minutes at General meetings on each subject. A member shall not speak twice on any resolution under discussion, and shall not be allowed to introduce fresh matter. Asking or answering a question by permission of the Chairman shall not be considered as a speech.

7. NEXT ITEM

In the event of a proposition to proceed to next business being moved and carried, it shall after the proposer of an original proposition has been heard, be put to the vote. If agreed to, all other propositions on the subject shall be considered to be disposed of. Once a subject has been discussed and voted on, it shall not again be introduced during the evening.

8. SECONDING

No proposal or amendment shall be discussed, until it has been seconded. No second amendment or rider shall be voted on until after the first amendment is disposed.

9. VOTING

Every question shall be determined by a show of hands unless the member introducing the question calls for a card vote. Such a request must be made before the result of a vote of hands is declared.

10. TIE IN VOTING

In the event of a tie in voting, the Chairman shall declare the motion not carried.

11. TELLERS

In the event of the Chairman’s count of any vote being challenged, the Chairman shall appoint tellers as may be necessary.

12. POINT OF ORDER

In the event of a point of order being raised the speaker shall resume his seat until the Chairman has given their decision.

13. CHAIRMAN’S POWERS

The rulings of the Chair shall be strictly obeyed. When the Chairman rises any member then speaking shall resume their seat, but shall be allowed to continue after the Chairman has resumed his or her seat. In the event of anything transpiring not provided for in these Standing Orders, the Chairman of the meeting shall use his or her discretion as to the best course to adopt in the interest of the League.

LEAGUE COMPETITION RULES

1.         The Competition shall be governed by the Contest Committee.

2.         REGISTRATIONS
a)         Each club intending to compete shall forward to the League Secretary the names and addresses and British Crown Green Bowling Association numbers of all its members (alphabetically arranged), by or before 1st March, and be recorded. A fine of £5.00 will be imposed on Clubs failing to comply with an additional £1.00 per week thereafter.  Names which are included on the list, and which were not registered for the club in previous year, must be marked with an asterisk, and a note made of the club for whom the player was last registered.
b)         The registration list must be accompanied by a list of all its members who have resigned, in accordance with the rules since the previous season or who are no longer members of the club. 
c)         No club is allowed to play an unregistered player under a penalty of £2.00 for each offence, and a reduction of all shots such a player shall have made - the opponent will be credited with 21 shots. 
d)         Clubs to receive a League Handbook for each member registered at cost.
e)         No registration can be accepted after 1st July, unless with the consent of the Contest Committee.  
f)          Each player is registered for one club only during a season, and only by the consent of the Contest Committee shall be allowed to change his club during the season.  This consent will be given only in exceptional circumstances.
g)         A player having played for a Club during any season and who wishes to cancel their registration or transfer to another club may do so, provided they notified their club in writing on or before 14th January of any year, and that same is accepted by said club. No club will be allowed to register a player who failed to carry out this action.

3.         LEAGUE
a)         Competing teams shall consist of twelve players a side. 
b)         Matches in all divisions shall consist of one home and one away game - 21 up, singles only.  The visiting team shall have the first throw of the Jack. 
c)         No visiting player shall be permitted to play on the green on the day of the match, prior to the match. 
d)         Two points will be awarded for a win, one for a tie.  One point extra will be given to the team with the highest aggregate score on the two matches played - home and away. In the event of a tie on the aggregate score, the extra point will be divided. 
e)         Positions in League tables shall be decided on points.  The two teams in the ‘B‘, ‘C‘ and ‘D‘ divisions with the highest number of points will normally be promoted to the ‘A‘, ‘B‘ and ‘C‘ divisions respectively.
f)          In the event of any of these teams finishing level on points then the highest shots difference will be taken into account for final League placings.
g)         Clubs with more than one team who at some point decide to withdraw a side shall keep their highest standing team.
h)         In the event of teams resigning or joining the League, the Contest Committee shall have the power to re-organise the divisions. 
i)          Clubs entering reserve teams shall be required to star those players (normally twelve) that are the strongest that each club can field. If the Contest Committee does not approve the starred list submitted, they reserve the right to nominate appropriate starring status for all/some registered players.
j)          The names of the starred players to be forwarded to the Secretary before 31st January of any year on the registration form provided. A fine of £5.00 will be imposed on Clubs failing to comply. 
k)          No Starred players shall be eligible to play for a reserve team side under a penalty of £2.00 for each offence, and a reduction of all shots such a player shall have made. The opponent will be credited with 21 shots.

4.         STARTING TIMES
In the event of any team not turning up to play a match on Saturdays (2.00pm,scratch 2.15pm), or week nights (6.30pm,scratch 6.45pm), the Contest Committee have the power to penalise the offending teams at their discretion and/or direct that the match be played. During the months of April, August and September, starting times will be 6.15pm with no grace being given.
 
5.         GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
a)         Any club playing less than the requisite number shall be fined a minimum of £2.00 per player.
b)         Four jacks shall be the minimum on the green. Any team not having sufficient players to keep the green fully occupied during the match in accordance with the times laid down in Rule 4 (Starting Times) shall on the claim of the opposing Captain, forfeit 21 points for each player absent.
c)         Visiting Captains shall have the choice of order of play.
d)         All players shall be drawn for, and in the event of any full teams not being available at the starting time, sufficient number must be drawn to ensure a prompt start at the times laid down in Rule 4 (Starting Times). The full balance of the draw to be made as soon as possible.
e)         The Captain of the winning team in all League matches shall forward a result sheet to the League Secretary to be received within 48 hours of the completion of the match. Each sheet to be signed by both Captains. A fine of £2.00 will be imposed for each failure to carry out this rule. Any sheet not received within seven days of the completed match will result in a further fine at a rate of £1.00 per day thereafter and / or a deduction of League points.
f)          The trophies shall be the property of the Bebington & District Bowling League, and shall be held by the respective winners for twelve months. The holders shall give written guarantee to the League that they will refund the value if lost or stolen from their custody.
g)         Winning teams and runners-up shall be presented with memento’s or cheques to be sent to the Secretaries of the Clubs concerned who shall be responsible for their distribution to players in exchange for the receipted bills for purchases made by them. The bills shall be forwarded by the Club Secretaries to the League Secretary to cover the amount of the cheques.
h)         Prize money for League winners and runners-up will be decided by the Contest Committee.
i)          At least 35 days prior to the opening of the season, clubs shall be issued with copies of the proposed fixtures. Within 14 days of having received these fixture lists, Club Secretaries may make written requests to the League Secretary to apply for any necessary changes. Any alteration brought about by such requests will be agreed with the clubs concerned and once such agreement has been reached all matches must be played on the dates and greens as laid down.
j)          The Contest Committee shall be the sole interpreters of these rules. Any matter not referred to shall be dealt with by the Committee.
k)          All protests and appeals to be lodged with the League Secretary within three days accompanied by a deposit of £10.00, which if the protest or appeal is deemed to be frivolous, shall be forfeited and added to the league funds.
l)          The League and Cup trophies are to remain the property of the League winners, receiving their trophy at the Annual General Meeting. The League will be responsible for all the engraving of trophies with the winning clubs being debited for the amount. All trophies to be returned to the League Secretary by no later than two weeks before the cup final of the following year or in the case of League Championship trophies, by the first week in September. Clubs or individuals failing to do so will be fined £5.00 plus £1.00 per week until the trophies are returned.
6.         CANCELLATIONS
a)         No match which appears in the League fixtures shall be re-arranged without permission of either the League Secretary or the Contest Committee. Any Club cancelling a fixture without permission shall be liable to a fine of £2.00 per player plus an additional penalty of £5.00 and/or a deduction of League points to be decided by the Contest Committee. All matches must be played.
b)         The League Secretary to be informed by the home club of any match cancelled due to bad weather within 48 hours of the date when the game was due to be played. Clubs who fail to comply with this rule shall be fined £5.00.All re-arranged games to be played by seven days following the end of the scheduled fixture program (not including Pairs League fixtures). The Secretary to be informed of this date as soon as agreed by both clubs.
c)         Games finished to stand and unfinished games to be resumed where left off by the same players.
d)         It should be noted that the decision on whether a green is fit for play will be made by the greensman but in their absence the decision will be left to the Captain of the home team.
e)         Any team sheet that has been deliberately falsified will result in a fine of £25.00 and further action as the Contest Committee may feel fit to impose.

7.         AGGREGATE PRIZES
a)         Aggregate Prizes will be awarded in the ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ Divisions to the player with the best aggregate score in any 6 home and away games, In the event of a tie, the prize will be awarded to the player with the best average score.
b)         Each Club to send the name and record of the player with the best aggregate score in their Club to the League Secretary on completion of the fixtures. Final date for claims to be October 1st.

8.         DRESS CODE
            Suitable footwear to be worn for all matches. A dress code will be applicable for ALL Finals – long trousers must be worn and ladies should comply with the dress code as directed by the British Crown Green Ladies Bowling Association (BCGLBA). Any deemed to be unsuitably dressed by the official in charge will not be permitted to play.

INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION RULES

1.         BEBINGTON MERIT & BARNES PAIRS
a)         Entry shall be open to all bowlers registered with the Bebington & District Bowling League on the payment of the entry fee which is payable in advance.
b)         Both are scratch competitions with all the games in the Merit being 21 up, whilst the Barnes Pairs all games are 15 up.
c)         Barnes Pairs - Competitors must be registered Bebington League players.

2.         BEBINGTON OPEN HANDICAP
a)         Entry shall be open to all bowlers registered with the Bebington League and the Wirral & District CGBA on the payment of the entry fee which is payable in advance.
b)         The competition to be played on a handicap basis. Handicaps to be set by the Contest Committee prior to the commencement of the competition. All games 21 up.
c)         The winner shall have their handicap reduced by two points immediately after the competition has been completed. The minimum handicap to be scratch. This will remain in force for a period of five years.  Any competitor playing on their own green in any round shall have their handicap reduced by two points.

3.         RULES COMMON TO ALL INDIVIDUAL & PAIRS COMPETITIONS
a)         No competitor shall play on the green on which they are due to qualify once the draw has been published, unless playing in an authorised game, nor shall any qualifier play on the green chosen for the final unless playing in an authorised game.
b)         Any qualifier failing to appear for the Finals Day shall automatically be suspended from playing in any singles or doubles competition organised by the Bebington & District Bowling League for a period of not less than twelve months and also forfeit the right to any prize due. Any player so suspended has the right of appeal which must be made in writing to the League Secretary within 14 days. The suspension to commence from the day following the 14 day appeal period. The name of any player so suspended will be forwarded to the Wirral & District CGBA.
c)         All Competition qualifying rounds shall start at 6.30pm no grace being given.
d)         Any player who does not stay until the completion of a finals day competition shall not receive their prize money, which will remain in the League funds.
e)         Entrance fees will be determined by the Contest Committee.

TEAM CUP COMPETITIONS

1.         ENTRIES
a)         Any Club that does not wish to compete in the Leverhulme Cup, Great Eastern Trophy or Geoff Clare Trophy (as eligible) must inform the League Secretary by 31st January otherwise they will be included in the draw and be liable for Competition fees.
b)         Clubs who have not informed the League Secretary by 31st January will have the same number of teams entered as the previous season.
c)         New Clubs will be given one entry per Cup (as eligible) unless otherwise requested.
d)         Individual clubs shall be allowed to enter any number of teams for the Leverhulme Cup, but the Great Eastern Trophy is restricted to ‘B’ Division teams only. The Geoff Clare Trophy is restricted to ‘C’ Division teams and lower (ie ‘D’ if applicable).
e)         The Contest Committee will take into account all registered players when assessing handicaps unless a list of players who are not to be considered is submitted.
f)          Clubs who enter more than one team must star players on the same basis as League Competition Rule 3.
g)         No player to play for more than one team in the same round.

2.         GENERAL TEAM CUP RULES
a)         Games shall be played on neutral greens on a handicap basis. Handicaps to be set by the Contest Committee prior to each round being played.
b)         Clubs who have their green chosen for Cup matches must ensure that the green is ready for play at the required time and must provide jacks, mats and tapes. Failure to comply will result in a £15.00 fine.
c)         No member of competing teams to bowl on a selected green for 7 days prior to a match or from when the club Secretaries are informed of the draw whichever is the later, unless in a recognised competition or League match.
d)         The competing teams shall have equal number of leads of the jack. The two Captains to toss at the commencement. The winning Captain to declare odd or even numbers on his sheet, the losing Captain to take the balance.
e)         Markers must be appointed by both Clubs and they must check their cards every three ends.
f)          Measurers will be appointed by the respective Captains.
g)         In the event of a tie between two teams, the match shall be replayed within 7 days or as directed by the League Secretary.
h)         At least 7 days before the match both of the competition finalists shall submit their teams, IN ORDER OF PLAY, to the League Secretary. Any player not available when called on the green will be substituted and thereafter will not be allowed to participate in the match.
i)          Each team competing in the Final shall receive sixteen programs, which will be charged to the Club account.
j)          There shall be no appeal against Contest Committee decisions with regard to handicaps and greens allocated.
k)          Any team who are using their green for League matches must make their green available for Cup matches.

PAIRS LEAGUE RULES

1/         Where applicable all normal rules will apply.
2/         All pairs teams will consist of five pairs.
3/         Games will be fifteen up.
4/         The annual subscription shall be £20.00 for each Pairs League team entered (plus £10.00 for any number of additional George O’Neill Trophy teams).
5/         Prize money for League winners and runners-up will be decided by the Contest Committee.
6/         Where possible promotion and relegation will be confined to one team up and one team down.
7/         Matches will commence at 6.15pm.
8/         A minimum of three jacks must commence at the time stated in Rule 7 and be maintained until all games are completed.
9/         Two points will be awarded for a win, one for a tie and one point per winning jack. One point extra will be given to the team with the highest aggregate score over the two matches played. In the event of a tie on the aggregate score, the extra point will be divided.
10/        Captains will make their own pairings and make a draw in the normal manner in time to Comply with Rule 7.
11/        Teams playing with a shortfall of players will be fined £4.00 per jack. Teams failing to honour their fixtures to be fined as above plus an additional penalty of £5.00, which could result in exclusion from next years competition.
12/        The practice of playing one player against a pair is NOT permitted, offenders will be fined as in Rule 11 the sum of £4.00 per jack.
13/        The competition is open only to registered clubs of the Bebington & District Bowling League. Individual members can play only for the clubs with whom they are registered.
14/        Starred players - Clubs playing more than one team star eight players if playing two teams and a further eight if playing three teams etc.
15/        Team entries will be deemed final after the publication of fixtures in the League Handbook. Any club wishing to withdraw teams after publication will be liable for the full amount of medal money.
16/        Each Division in the League shall consist of up to a maximum of 5 teams.
17/        In the event of any teams finishing level on points then the highest shots aggregate will be taken into account for final League placings.

GEORGE O’NEILL MEMORIAL TROPHY

1/         No player to play for more than one team in the same round.
2/         Prize money for Trophy winners, runners-up and losing semi-finalists will be decided by the Contest Committee.
3/         In the event of a tie between two teams the match shall be awarded to the team with the greater number of winning games.
4/         Any Club not wishing to compete in the George O’Neill Trophy must inform the Secretary by 31st January otherwise they will be included in the draw and be liable for Competition fees.
5/         Individual Clubs shall be allowed to enter any number of teams for the George O’Neill Trophy.
6/         Handicaps to be set depending on which Pairs Division the team is in, as stated in the handbook.
7/         Any additional ‘B’ or ‘C’ teams etc not in the handbook will have their handicap assessed by the Contest Committee.
8/         The Semi-Finals and Final of the George O’Neill Trophy is to be played on a set date on the same green as decided by the Contest Committee.
9/         The previous season’s winning team to be penalised five shots for one season. In the case of a second and sequential win, the team is to be penalised ten shots and then five additional shots for each further sequential win.

THE END
Updated following changes made at the 2008 AGM.